Welsh fishing �13m fund announced

Welsh ministers want full responsibility for fisheries within two years

A �13.5m fund for the Welsh fisheries industry has been announced.

The European money is aimed at making the industry more sustainable and profitable, as well as improving marketing, skills and training.

The Welsh Assembly Government said it would provide further cash for projects qualifying for the funding

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said a "good settlement" for the Welsh industry had been agreed with UK ministers after some "hard bargaining".

Last week the assembly government announced plans to take full charge of managing Welsh fisheries by April 2010.

It currently shares the responsibilities with two Sea Fisheries Committees and the Environment Agency.

Ms Jones said: "The �17m, match funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, will provide a firm base for us to achieve the aims set out in the Welsh Fisheries Strategy."

She said the strategy has been agreed with the "full involvement of all sectors of the Welsh fishing industry".

It is estimated 3,500 jobs in Wales depend on fishing with the industry generating annual income of around �200m.

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